Teresa Pearce MP attends event on free personal care for older people

Independent Age host an interactive event to raise awareness of their free personal care campaign at Parliament on 24/04/19Photography by DFphotography.co.uk / Danny Fitzpatrick

Teresa Pearce MP attended a drop-in event in Parliament this week to discuss the social care crisis with members of the public and to learn about the ground-breaking evidence from the older people’s charity Independent Age, on the benefits of introducing free personal care in England.

Free personal care is already available in Scotland. Introducing free personal care in England would be extremely popular. A recent YouGov poll found that 74% of adults in England aged 18-64 want free personal care for all older people, and 69% would be willing to contribute more to fund it.

Teresa Pearce MP said:

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the social care system with older people and hear their stories, and ideas on how it can be improved.

“I was also impressed by the evidence presented by Independent Age on the economic and personal benefits of introducing free personal care. Average care costs in the London region are £727 a week, and there are 12,657 people over 65 in Erith and Thamesmead.

“Independent Age has made a powerful case on how free personal care could benefit my constituents, and ensure that some of the most vulnerable people don’t have to worry about the financial costs of their care in the future. This policy must be considered as part of the government’s consultation on adult social care.”